Yzerman, the general manager of Team Canada and the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Thursday decided on Martin St. Louis as Steven Stamkos' injury replacement for the Sochi Olympics. St. Louis was viewed as one of the most egregious omissions from the initial roster. The fact that Yzerman is his boss only made it more uncomfortable.

"Of course I was bitter," St. Louis said on Thursday afternoon.

In any case, he's headed to Sochi, presumably on Sunday if the NHL's charter planes make it out of Newark with actual players on them. St. Louis, 38, won the Art Ross Trophy last season and has 54 points in 56 games this season, 18 of which came after the Canada roster announcement on Jan. 7.

"He probably deserved to be on the team from Day 1, so for him to get that chance now, I'm extremely happy for him," Stamkos said.

This will be the second Olympics for the former MVP — and actually, it was Yzerman who left him off the roster in 2010, though that was before the two were part of the same organization. Stamkos, meanwhile, is now the one dealing with disappointment. He said he was anticipating playing on Thursday before getting bad news via a Wednesday bone scan.

"If anyone could replace him, I know he would want me," St. Louis said of taking Stamkos' spot. And it is, indeed, him.

"I don't think you can really put into words the feelings I've gone through the past 24 hours," Stamkos said. "At least I can look myself in the mirror."

Stamkos also said that he hoped to watch the team play — as long as it didn't interfere with his rehab schedule. His stated focus is still getting to 100 percent and playing for the Lightning, and he said that while he wasn't cleared, he's progressing fine.

"Not going to the Olympics was tough, but now having that break, that's going to help me physically get better and stronger, and get ready for a big playoff push for our organization," Stamkos said. "I can't wait to jump back in and help this team finish strong."

As for Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux, one of the other potential replacements, he's taking it ... OK, maybe?

Giroux says he never gave himself hope so he didn't feel let down again.